Christians ponder these questions nearly every Sunday. Do I have to go to church? Is it a sin to not go to church? Great questions! Questions that deserve biblical answers.

What is church anyway?

Most Christians in America view church as a weekly event. Church is a Sunday morning activity especially for the children. But is that what the Bible says? Does the Bible say I should go to a certain building, sit in a pew, sing a few songs, put money in the plate, and listen a pastor preach week after week?

From my early teens I was a regular church attender. Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings and Wednesday nights we were in church.

Later, I became a full-time minister and regularly preached all the things I was taught. One foundational truth I learned was to never add to or take away from the Word. The Bible is truth (it doesn't just contain truth), it's our final authority (overriding church handouts and by-laws), and THE source of all of our doctrine (regardless of denomination, visiting preacher or our beloved Aunt Maggie).

So what happens when the minister searches the scriptures for direction on how the church is suppose to function, and can't find most of the things he's been taught? Does he brush his concerns aside and just keep going like he has year after year? Or does he practice what he's preached to others and lay aside his own beliefs in favor of the truth of the Word of God?

When Jesus confronted the Pharisees about their traditions and teachings, I laughed. When Jesus confronted me about my teachings and traditions, it wasn't so funny. As I recall, it was a time of fear and trembling.

I believe there are thousands of church leaders today shaking in their shoes because they know the Bible does not support the pattern of church they were taught and currently live by. That fear is partly financial. They are like the buggy whip maker watching something called an automobile make it's way down the road without a horse.

If you go to church, why do you? Have you ever searched the scriptures to understand your relationship with other believers? You might be surprised to see what the Bible says! You might also be on the edge of a whole new life in Christ!

For some scriptural answers to the question, "Do I have to go to church?" Click Here to fast forward to Part 2 of this topic.

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I hear you Cindy. I think the number of ways we judge and chop each other up are countless.

Reply

Ben

7/25/2011 12:39:33 pm

I sat ina church building this past sunday. As the "pastor" prayed, he refered to the building as "the house of GOD". I was so repulsed by such a blasphemous lie,that I turned to my wife and said "I'm leaving, I cann't put up with this".

Reply

Patty Tillerson

7/25/2011 11:25:17 pm

Since I no longer "attend" church, I find myself more content, more satisfied with life---I feel more free to "live" and "practice" my faith as directed by personal prayers. Instead of giving my money to support salaries, etc., I give it directly to community needs and needs of those I am fortunate to be able to help through these difficult times. They say, "we will pay you back". . . no, I tell them, pass it on, I am blessed to be able to help. I believe this is what Christ would do and it makes my heart sing!

If we are the church then why all the repulsion to the notion of meeting together as a body? We need to understand that the building is not the church, the people are. We only gather in buildings to provide human comfort from the elements. Let's not let "their" confusion about what constitutes church push us to the opposite extreme.

I wrote this post for those who want to know why they should go or be a part. Not everyone wants to go, which I think has a lot to do with their experience. If all a believer knows is a boring service on Sunday, would you want to do that? Many don't know there's more to church than enduring another dry sermon from Rev. Pokie.

When I did some research, I discovered that thousands of people every month searched Google for "Why Go To Church", "Do I Have To Go To Church", "Why Should I Go To Church", "Why Men Don't Go To Church" and so on. People are searching and I want them to find answers in the Bible. Nothing extreme about it.

Reply

Michael P. Gardner

7/26/2011 10:51:10 am

It's interesting that Scripture tells us: "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." -- Hebrews 10:23-25 If we don't have church, how can we effectively "provoke" one another to love and good works?

One thought on this: Does Hebrews tell us to "provoke" only during church? Is it possible that "so much the more so" means those times when I might meet another brother for coffee sometime? I don't know about you, but I've received some great direction and encouragement outside of specific church gatherings.

As I mentioned to someone else, I'm all for us assembling together. The verse you cited is quite direct and clear. But there are many out there who question the reason for gathering together. I wrote this post for them. I'm hoping you and the others will check back for Part 2.

Thanks for your response. On what are you basing your statistics? Google trends? I don't see the trends you mentioned. Can you help? When I search using your phrases I get nothing. If I narrow it down to just "church" I get hits but more regarding separation of church and state.

Under your paragraph heading, "What is church anyway?" you address what church is not, or at least imply that the concept of church prevalent today is wrong, according to your studies. But you didn't answer your own question, "What is church anyway?" Will that come later?

I'm using much of my experience to formulate my writings. Additionally I use Google's Keyword Tool to help with more research. Part 2 of this topic incorporates one search result and here are a few others:

"Why Go To Church" 110,000 searches
"Why Should I Go To Church" 8100 searches
"Reasons To Go To Church" 1300 searches
"Going To Church In the Bible" 1300 searches

And many more.

The question "What Is Church Anyway" is addressed in Part 2, and in a link I've included. I also talk about it on the home page, upper left. I hope this helps. Thanks again for writing!